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Endangered Species in Santa Cruz County - Amphibians

Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander

Scientific Name:Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum

Status: E, PCH

The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is a relatively small (four to 12 inches), black salamander with yellow-orange blotches. It frequents coastal woodlands and chaparral near the ponds and freshwater marshes in which it breeds. This salamander spends a significant portion of its life underground in the burrows of small mammals such as mice, gophers, and moles.

The Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is currently known from three population clusters (metapopulations) in coastal areas of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.

In Santa Cruz County, primary threats have been road construction and urbanization. In Monterey County, the main reasons for decline are extensive and intensive agricultural practices and urbanization.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceDocuments describing protection for this species under the Endangered Species Act. General information about the species as well as plans both to protect it and to help it recover.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceDetailed information from Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, home of the Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander.

Species AccountExcerpts from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documents available at the Central Branch Library